“Reality Shows!”

{ February 9, 2010 @ 1:00 am } · { Daily Life, Self Esteem for Women }
{ Tags: guidance, Life lessons, Relationships, Self-awareness }

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Every time you turn on the television there seems to be a new reality show popping up. Some are quite entertaining and funny and others are just plain ridiculous. Having visited Los Angeles I realized that nothing is quite what in appears to be. It is the same with people. To tell you the truth as long as the cameras are rolling people will put on an act. They want their fifteen minutes of fame. I find that it’s all just an illusion.

There is always someone trying to impress you with what they have; who they are, where they’ve been, what they’ve done….blah, blah, blah. They have to be the center of attention. They need a title, or a position. I call this the “Gain, got to get, me, my, here I am, see me, syndrome.” They can never be behind the scene or hidden in the shadows. I expect this from the world, but the sad thing is we bring this mess in the church where we are to be servants.

Sometimes you may not even realize you are performing. You may have been in the roll so long that it has become second nature to you. You wake up in the morning, pray, get dress, go to work….”Perform.” You get around your boss/coworkers and….”Perform.” You come home to your family and….”Perform.” Spend time with your significant other and……”Perform.” Go to church and……”Perform.” The next day it all begins again.

The truth is we who call ourselves Christians were once a dressed up mess that God cleaned up and transformed into new creatures in Christ Jesus. This is something we should constantly be aware of as we walk through life. Before we become so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good we should remember that if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side it could have been, should have been and still could be us _______________; you fill in the blank.

The question is what are we really like when the spotlight is not on us? When the music isn’t playing and no one is around to give us our cues. “LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!” Who are we when the curtain goes down; when the applause stops? Will you keep on performing and forget to call “SCENE” so that you can still be “SEEN?”

As much as I enjoy acting and playing another character, I still have to face me every day. I still have to like who I see in the mirror. She could be happy one day or sad the next. She could have a little money or be broke. She could be fat or skinny, old or young, etc. The question is am I who I say I am? This is a tough question for me because the truth is I don’t really know myself as well as I think I do. I’m learning more about me every day. Some things I like, some things I don’t want anyone to see. Thank God for my LORD and Savior: Key word is LORD who is over my life.

Every day I struggle with my old nature. Some days I just have to tell myself about myself and put me in check. I’ve learned to never say never because you can find your self doing the very thing you said you would never do or at least be tempted to do what you said you would never do. When you are a Christian you want to strive to do better to live Holy because people are constantly watching you whether you know it or not, or want them to or not.

You may be the only bible some people will ever read so your every word, syllable, or move is being dissected and observed. However, there are those who just want to criticize and destroy your reputation and find fault with you, your beliefs, or your church. Unfortunately, we in the body of Christ do that to each other more than the world does.

We look for perfection in an imperfect world. You expect everyone to be nice, sweet, honest and caring if you are that type of person, or not. You expect people to give if you are a giver or not: expect a thank you when you do something nice for someone. You expect others to love you because you love them or even if you don’t; expect others to never hurt you because you would never want to hurt them even if you probably will.

The bible says that we are but dust and our righteousness is as filthy rags. That tells me that I need to remain humble. I need to let the Lord be the writer, the director and the camera crew. Since he has cast me as the main character in this story called “MY LIFE.” I can’t and shouldn’t rush to get to the end or try to figure out the plot; something I do when I watch television or a movie. I just need to play my part to the best of my ability and hope and pray I capture my audience’s attention and get His message across.

I need to let Him pick the co-stars and other characters in my story. He may keep these people in my life for a season, or they may make a guest appearance, or perhaps they may just have a cameo. He is in control. I may never have a lot of fans; I may never get any applause or any recognition from man. However, just the satisfaction of knowing that the one who created me and loves me unconditionally is my critic and He has already written His review before the foundation of the world knowing that He will finish the work he has begun is more than enough for me.

Remember, you may fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time, and you can’t fool God at all. We need to keep it real because “Reality shows.”

©Copyright 2/10
Mrs. Ella D. Fleming